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Haha! Yeah, I've read that the classes are very pointless in relation to the foods that you should be eating before/after surgery and to lose or even maintain weight. Luckily, I believe all of these classes will be virtual so I won't have to physically go in. They also mentioned a virtual exercise class I will have to do. My goal is to try to knock everything out as fast as I can.

When I called to set up my appointment they told me that my insurance offers a "Fast Track" program which gives me the option of getting the surgery done as fast as I would like. I'm super excited about that! Based on what I read from other people with Aetna you just need 12 nutritionist/dietician visits which you can do once a month - 12 months or once a week which can have your surgery done in 3-4 months!

I am fine up until around 630 p.m. then the urge to snack hits. I try to drink more fluids but because fluids move through me incredibly fast (i had a barium swallow test) that it doesnt help much and Im up and down to the bathroom constantly. But I have found that sucking on strong flavored SF mints or SF cinnamon discs by Brachs, does the trick. So does brushing my teeth. It can often times help me to stray away from wanting to snack later in the evening. And now that sunset is 8 p.m., I go for a walk for an hour and Im focused on doing something, out of the house and away from temptation.

UPDATE!!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!! I literally ran my ass off!!! I had my blood work and weigh in today, I was fasting and I prayed all the way to town!!!! Thank God the weather stayed cool here in North Dakota the last few weeks, I got up in the mornings and ran three miles every morning, came home and ate a scrambled egg, drank bone broth, for lunch I drank another bone broth and chewed on some raw veggies, dinner I ate a chicken breast or hamburger Pattie with another bone broth before bed, drank a gallon of water and did the same thing every single day.....boring as can be but I weighed in with three pounds to spare 5 days early!! I am now officially approved to donate a kidney to my daughter!!

I had VSG 12/07/20 and have no type of regrets!! However I am now 5 months post op and my stomach tolerates basically anything I give it. I recently have been over indulging in things I KNOW I shouldn't (cookies, chips, fast food). Just a couple of weeks ago I was soooo strict on what I ate and how much but ever since reaching ONDERLAND I just haven't been as strict. I could really use some advice and encouragement from those who have been where I am.. HOW DO I GET BACK ON TRACK?

I had RNY 12/14/2020. I am down 130 from my HW and 80 since surgery. I am off all diabetes meds and had an A1C a month ago of 5.6. I see the endocrinologist in 2 weeks. My Type 2 was considered well-controlled so I only saw him twice per year. I am now hoping for even less frequent visits. My weight loss seems to go in spurts. I drop a few pounds, stay stable and then drop a few more. I am trying to practice all good habits in terms of portion size, exercise and vitamins to keep me in this for the long haul. I feel good and am happy in my decision. Despite still having more weight to lose, I haven't weighed this little in many years. I do have some issues with foam vomiting on occasion. It is not dependent upon what I eat. It is all about how fast I eat and how well I chew. I've not found specific foods that don't agree with me. I'm learning to navigate the world of eating post surgery while dining out and being part of social activities.

Wow... this hit me in the feels today. I've been overweight since I was 10 when my parents divorced, and we moved in my grandmother. The only thing that was ever said about food was about leaving any behind. I - like many on here - was a card-carrying member of the "Clean Plate Club." It is still hard for me. I have to consciously think about it to leave food behind. That being said, what struck me about this post deals with how I parent my own girls. Parenting is hard, and kids should come with instruction manuals. I NEVER wanted to give my kids a food complex. I've never made them clean their plate. When they're done, they're done. Both of my girls are on ADHD meds, so they don't like to eat during the day, but they're hungry at night. Usually, they come back for a second dinner sometime before bed. Neither one had a weight concern until last year. My oldest became a cave dweller during the lockdown, and it wasn't until she went back to school in January that she walked further than from her bedroom to the kitchen. I tried to get her to go out for a walk -anything - but she's 14 going on 25 and knows everything. All that to say, she gained about 50lbs in less than a year. It's not healthy for her, and she's not happy with it. I can tell that she's now self-conscious about it. Like many of us, it snuck up on her. It's all good when you're wearing PJs every day, but when you try to wear real clothes and they don't fit, it's a shocker. She brought it to me first. I told her I was concerned because it wasn't healthy to gain that much, that fast. She said - you think I'm fat! (Remember she's a teenager.) I told her I absolutely didn't think she was fat, BUT it's not healthy and she's not happy. She's really lost her stamina and endurance. My husband, who is 6'7" so 300 lbs for him is way different than 300lbs for me, was an athlete and is of the mindset that we tell her she needs to lose weight - and no... I stopped that cold - but he has that athlete mentality that if a coach said he was bad at free-throws, he would have practiced them until he was better. <eyeroll> I told him that she's not an athlete and she's a girl so telling she's overweight is NOT the route we're going. If we tell her she's fat then this will be her mental talk - Well, I'm fat so I better just go along with what my friend wants because I'm fat and no one will like me. Well, I don't want to have sex, but I better because he's showing an interest, and I'm fat so this is my only chance for love. Well, he's abusive, but I'm fat so I don't have any other options. - He looked at me like I was nuts, but I told him this is how many girls think. I'm trying to talk to her about it without being a nag or a dictator. When she's asked for help, I've made some suggestions like slowing down when she eats, taking smaller bites, cutting back on some of the sweets. I told her that I would help with things that I'm learning through this process, but that she has to WANT the help. It's hard because I can see that right now she's going down the path to end up where I've spent the last 3 decades, but I'm also trying to not make her worth about her weight. I could become the crazy food police, but that's not how I want our relationship to become. Weight can be lost, but if I make her not even want to be around me or her family, then I've completely lost her in other ways. I'm sorry your family made you feel like that, but I hope you don't "cut off your nose to spite your face" as my GiGi would have said. If you're to a point where you need it, this surgery is for YOU. In the end, if your health deteriorates or you don't get to enjoy things, you are going to pay that price. If they gloat or whatever, they'll gloat. I can't relate exactly because I didn't get that growing up so I don't mean to sound flippant and if you don't already have a therapist, I'd recommend you try one. My mom married someone just to get away from her mother and her nagging. I moved out at 15 and she spent 8 yrs in an abusive marriage because she didn't want to be "wrong" and have my grandmother "tell her so." Don't let them and their pettiness drive your decisions any longer. You do you.

Hey all! So I'm admitting tonight for sleeve scheduled tomorrow morning and I having the jitters now 🥲 My close friends and fam are not keen with me having the sleeve plus covid now so I'll be doing this all by myself. No pre op diet requested by the doctor, only fast from eating midnight onwards. Anyone who did this alone? Any points I can learn from? ) Thanks in advance!!

I did have wine and it does hit you quicker, definitely true. But I didn’t get sick or feel bad from it. I only had one and I really nursed it, over the course of an hour. I personally think that, aside from alcohol being empty calories, etc., doctors want us to avoid it because of a tendency to make stupid food decisions as a result. When I drink, I absolutely do not pay careful attention to what I am eating or how fast I am eating...

yep - too fast or too much will often set it off.

How can I put this…… Bob Ross is doing a nice winter scene of an empty snow covered field with a happy little stump poking out of the snow…. Fast forward a few episodes and he’s painting the same field in the spring…. The stump is the same stump as before, but without snow covering most of it he needs a lot more paint…. NSV!!

Let me start this off by saying this: I made a mistake, learned from my mistake, I won't do it again.... so please don't judge or lecture me. OKAY, now. Last night I was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed, but I hadn't eaten supper yet. I heated up some leftover shrimp and veggies and I only heated up an appropriate amount for the stage I am at. I normally put my fork down for 2 minutes after every bite, but the food was going down fine and I was so stinking tired and I really slacked on putting my fork down like I should (huge mistake). About 10 minutes after I finished, I felt super sick and threw most of it up. I felt better after throwing it up. So, I won't be doing anything stupid like that again, but I am wondering: is this a common response for eating too quickly? Thanks for reading!

Sheesh, the nurse just called to go over some things before surgery and dang, it sure seems like a LOT of stuff to remember. Stuff like stopping certain vitamins and things the week before, not taking my meds the night before and morning of surgery, stop NSAIDS 7 days prior, fasting blood glucose/some other test/covid test on a certain day and NOT before or else I could be canceled, clear liquids ONLY (no red dye) the day before but only water after midnight and no water even prior to two hours before surgery, showering the night before and morning of surgery with that soap they give you and no deodorants and whatnot afterward, on and on and on. I hope I remember it all and don't mess up by taking something I shouldn't or eating/drinking something after a certain time frame. LOL

Thanks @kristieshannon! That's what I'm thinking as well! I wanted to be averaging like 10 lbs (at least at the beginning) but that's not my journey it seems. Lol. Im a HUGE Greys Anatomy fan and they seem to punish patients that lose weight too fast all the time. Lol! So I guess it OK...

The Premier ones I can taste now and they used to be my go-to drink. The only ones I have been able to tolerate post-surgery at the Slim-Fast Advanced but they still taste chemically to me.

Hello everyone! My pace is moving really fast. I had my consult on April 21st, had my EKG, lab work, gallbladder ultrasound, and psych evaluation all done by April 28th, got my letter of medical necessity on Monday the 3rd, and today will have my final appt, the nutrition evaluation. That's a span of exactly two weeks to the day! There's always a chance that the nutritionist requires another course with me, but my insurance doesn't (I have Cigna.) So, realistically, by the end of today, I could have my insurance claim submitted and will know the result within two weeks. Everything's been moving quite fast, and though I've researched WLS for a decade now, I have only been working towards it in earnest for the past two weeks. My psych recommended me for surgery and it really helps that my sister just had bypass on April 7th so I've seen her journey and her eating requirements. For those who have had surgery or are about to, what are some mental preparedness tips to be mindful of? I think it's safe to say that many people with weight issues have an odd relationship to food. Just last night, I felt sad knowing I won't be eating rice the way I do currently (as an entire meal, very typical for my culture.) What should I be ready for? Major surgery + major changes in such a short span is sort of making me nervous! TIA.

Immediately after the op my surgeon came round and actually advised me to use a straw to sip tiny amounts I told him I was surprised with this suggestion because I'd read so much " forbidding" straws. His explanation was that maybe some advised not using straws because if you drink too fast you can swallow air. But that in his experience if you sip through the straw slowly taking small amounts into your mouth and then swallow it helps

With my doctors office they gave me a list of all the shakes I can use. Premier isn’t on my list for pre op as they startled they were realizing their clients weren’t meeting the protein goal while keeping cards and other things lower. I’m using the slim fast high protein pre-made shakes and I really like them.

I also have to do a 3 week liquid diet-5 protein shakes a day and can have limited broth and sugar free jello. I am on day 6 and reading what others had to say helped me. The first day I was fine but day 2-5 I struggled with not feeling well. Today turned a corner for me and while I'm not 100% I feel a lot better then the past few days. For me it was knowing that I want this as a tool to help change my life. If I can't do the liquid diet then I will struggle with the changes later and I wanted to give the surgeon the best liver I could for surgery. Its not easy but I made up my mind and thats what I keep reminding myself. I still want food and its hard as a single mom to get my kids their food while knowing I have a great protein drink waiting. I was also limited to what shakes I could use and so I am using the slim fast high protein shake and I actually really like it.

I just had my pre-op appointment and pre-op diet starts tomorrow. I can’t believe my surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow! I feel like the last part of this process has gone by so fast, I’m excited and a bit freaked out!

Hello my surgery date was actually changed to April 14th so a week earlier but everything went great. Shocked at how fast im healing and no complications so far thankfully. How about you?

That was what I was wondering. I feel like I just can't drink the water fast enough between the 30 minute wait period before and after eating. Lol Sent from my SM-G965U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

if you stick to your program, you WILL lose the weight, whether fast or slow. I was a slow loser from the get-go and ended up losing all of my excess weight. Your ultimate success is due to your level of commitment - not how fast or slow you lose the weight.

What about adding in some "whole grains" like brown/wild rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, etc? Or fruits and vegetables, once you've eaten enough protein. I haven't had surgery yet, so I'm eating about 1400 calories a day. I usually have a protein shake or steel cut oats with protein powder for break fast, and for lunch I might have tuna fish with light miracle whip and whole grain rice cakes with a red bell pepper or dinner leftovers. For dinner I might have meatballs in red curry, or turkey chili with beans topped with shredded cheese and fat free greek yogurt, or chicken curry, or deli turkey and cheese in a low-carb wrap sauteed in non-stick spray. If I really want dessert I'll have a ten gram square of chocolate or a half cup of light ice cream. For a snack I might have a cheese stick or a banana or pistachios. I also roast a lot of vegetables to eat with my meals and as snacks.

I've never been a member of PF or any of the Chain fitness places. I did however join the Y for my first few years. It was fine. I started with zumba, treadmill, bike and then moved to some weights. Then my now x husband said I was "skinny enough", so he canceled the membership and signed up at some local "meathead" gym. Turns out this is where his "Girlfriend" joined too....... I was a fish out of water. I knew nothing abut "working out". I'm a good follower in a class setting. Fast forword.... to a band removal and a divorce. I moved out of state and joined a fitness place.... it was beautiful and had everything you could ask for but i didn't know what to do and would walk on the treadmill and get bored and go home. I didn't know what the hell to do. Then as luck would have it, i was talking about working out with a co worker and he suggested Crossfit..... Changed my life..... This place is great. I walked into the gym (no mirrors), change my clothes, meet at the computer monitors. The owner would then go over the work out and show us how to do everything. He adjusts the workout for those of us who are "challenged" physically. Example: john over there can lift 100lbs and or run a mile..... I, can not.... So instead i lift 20lbs and row on the rower. Give Crossfit a chance...